History of BLC

In the Beginning

In 1978 there were three Lutheran families who had moved into the Bedok area. Because of the desire to reach out to their neighbours in Bedok they wanted to plant a congregation in this area. Their desire was supported by the Lutheran Church in Singapore and in July 1978 Pastor John Nelson and his wife Betty Lou were assigned by the church to work together with these pioneers to plant the church.

By November of that year a terrace house, No. 2 Jalan Tanjong was rented to serve as a meeting place for Sunday worship and week day programmes. Following up inquirers from the December 78 Billy Graham crusade and inviting friends, neighbours, and colleagues to hear the Gospel resulted in the baptism of ten brothers and sisters on Easter Day 1979. These were the first of many who received new life as God worked through the congregation. [top]

Moving to Bedok

On May 27th, 1979, Bedok Lutheran Church was organized as a congregation of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore. In July of that year we successfully tendered for the church site offered by the HDB in Bedok South. With the financial and prayer support of four other Lutheran Churches in Singapore and the Lutheran Church in America the first phase of the church building was completed in 1981.

The first service held in the new building on 20 September, 1981, was attended by 175 persons, although there were only 50 members in the congregation at that time. [top]

Early Growth

The congregation grew as members showed their concern for those about them with visitation, and through the youth and pre-school child ministries.

In September 1982, a worship service in Mandarin was started to compliment the growing English worship service.

In 1982 Pastor Terry Kee was called into the ministry of the church and served until 1986, when he was reassigned by the Lutheran Church to Jurong.

Pastor Tan Juak How was called in 1985 to serve in the Mandarin congregation until 1988 where he was reassigned to the Lutheran Church at Yishun and was replaced by Pastor Lu Guan Hoe.

Pastor Rickson Leong was called in 1987, and Pastor Then Chee Min was called in 1988 both to serve in the ever expanding English Congregation. [top]

The Second Phase

Because of the need for a larger sanctuary and more space for the other ministries of the congregation, in 1985 the members agreed to build the 2nd phase of the building. This would provide a sanctuary to seat 480 and more than double the area for other ministries.

The building was completed for use by Christmas of 1987 and dedicated on Easter Sunday 1988. [top]

Continuing to Grow

Between the Easters of 1979 and 1988 the congregation had grown to 446 members with vital ministries in Bedok, and reaching out to other areas of Singapore, to Malaysia and Thailand.

Praise be to God for His continuous grace and power enabling us to live and follow in joyous obedience! [top]